Armchair keep fit for care home residents

Pensioners in Angus can now keep fit from the comfort of their own armchair thanks to live video streams from sports centres.

Video Active is available through the joint partnership of Angus Health and Social Care Partnership and ANGUSalive.

The programme uses video conferencing technology to ‘beam’ seated physical activity classes from sports centres.

As part of a trial period, residents of St David’s Care Home in Forfar have been linking to a weekly physical activity class taking place at Webster’s Sports Centre in Kirriemuir. There are plans to roll this out to other care homes across Angus over the next 18 months to enable more people to stay active as long as possible.

Sally Wilson from Angus Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We know that being physically active is good for us, but not everyone can take part in activities like walking, cycling or pop along to their local sports centre.

“Seated activity is an excellent alternative but not so good when getting to a class can be a problem.”

“Not everyone can take part in activities like walking

ANGUSalive chief executive Kirsty Hunter said evidence suggests it is never too late to engage in physical activity, yet for many people it can be a challenge to get involved.

She said: “We would like to thank the Angus Activity Programme and the residents of St David’s Care Home for their involvement in the development of this programme.”

Gordon Snedden, chairman of the Angus Activity Programme for People with a Long-Term Condition, said they encourage members of the community to exercise because of the many benefits that brings to their health and wellbeing.